Segment Routing Multipath Reordering for Lower Bandwidth Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing segment routing-enabled networks face inefficiencies in resource utilization, particularly in bandwidth allocation, due to the initial order of path computation and provisioning of multipaths, which can lead to suboptimal usage of network resources.
Innovation Solution
A controller computes and provisions multipaths in a different order using heuristic algorithms and strategies to optimize resource usage, such as bandwidth, by reordering the placement of multipaths based on traffic demands and network constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multipaths are computed and provisioned in the initial order, then the network can be set up quickly and simply, but resource utilization becomes inefficient and bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary computation of multiple path orders before provisioning, evaluating resource usage for each order in advance. This allows selection of the optimal path computation order that minimizes bandwidth consumption while maintaining efficient network setup
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of path computation order by computing multipaths in different sequences and selecting the order that optimizes resource utilization. This parameter optimization reduces total bandwidth usage while maintaining network provisioning efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If the network follows conventional path provisioning methods, then implementation is straightforward, but resource allocation becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary that computes multiple path orders and evaluates their resource usage impacts. It selects the optimal order and provisions multipaths accordingly, improving resource utilization while maintaining implementation simplicity through centralized control
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described for optimizing multipaths of a segment routing-enabled network. For example, a computing device is configured to: for each link in a network layer of a multi-layer network, compute a usage (metric) of the link by all paths of a first plurality of multipaths provisioned in the network layer to compute a total usage by the first plurality of multipaths, the first plurality of multipaths having been computed and placed to a model of the network layer in a first order; compute a second plurality of multipaths, wherein the second plurality of multipaths are computed and placed, to the model of the network layer, in a second, different order; and in response to determining that the total usage by the second plurality of multipaths is less than the total usage by the first plurality of multipaths, provision the second plurality of multipaths in the network layer.